Independent-learning super-curriculum projects: reading, research and ideas shared by Perse students

Ebola – UK risk discussion : Shruthi Y, year 7

Shruthi chose to investigates the degree of risk that the recent outbreak of Ebola poses to the UK for a Michaelmas mini-investigation.

Ebola was first detected on the border of three African countries as early as in 1976 . The very first victims are believed to be people who lived in a town near the Ebola River in Congo, Africa. The current Ebola outbreak in West Africa was first reported in March 2014, and has caused serious concern ever since.

It could be safely stated that 2014 will go down in history as “THE EBOLA YEAR” with more than 7,857 people reported as having died from the 20,000 total numbers of reported cases . It’s also striking to note that more than 200 health workers are amongst the victims, a fact that has implications in treating the diagnosed.

Mapping the spread in Africa: timeline of major events

The Gueckedou prefecture in Guinea, where the outbreak started , is a major regional trading centre and, by the end of March, Ebola had crossed the border into Liberia. It was confirmed in Sierra Leone in May. By June, MSF (Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders) described the Ebola outbreak as out of control . Nigeria had its first case of the disease in July and, in the same month, two leading doctors died from Ebola in Liberia and Sierra Leone. In August, the United Nations health agency declared an “international public health emergency”, saying that a co-ordinated response was essential to halt the spread of the virus.